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Will detail

Will of James Ward of West Grinstead

Date signed: 10 Jun 1775, Probate date: 10 Mar 1777

In the Name of God Amen I JAMES WARD of CHAMPIONS in the Parish of WESTGRINSTED in the County of Sussex Esquire being in good Health of Body and of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding praised be Almighty God for the same calling to Mind the Frailty of my Health the certainty of death and the uncertainty of my departure out of this mortal Life and being willing and desirous as far as in me lieth to settle the Worldly Estate wherewith God of his infinite goodness and Mercy hath blessed me so that difference may arise about the same after my decease for want of disposal thereof do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in Writing hereby revoking and making void all former and other Wills By me at any time heretofore made and this only to be taken as and for my last Will and Testament

First and Principally I commend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God hoping and assuredly believing in and through the Merits of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour and Redeemer to obtain free pardon and forgivness of all my Sins and Everlasting Life and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried in Christian burial in the Parish Church of WEST GRINSTED aforesaid as near the remains of my late wife ANN WARD as my be and to be carried to the Grave by six of my Workmen

I mean when my Corps shall be set down at the entrance if the Church Yard as to its being carried thither I leave to the discretion of my Executors herein after named who shall all of them have Gloves and Hatbands with six Pall Bearers who shall be my Tenants or substantial Neighbours who I direct shall have Gloves and Silk Hatbands and I do order and direct my Executors to lay a black Marble Stone over my Grave within twelve Months after my decease and also to pay the Minister of the said Parish of WEST GRINSTED for the time being one Guinea for a Sermon to be preached at my Funeral from the Eleventh Verse of the thirteenth Chapter of the second Book of Corinthians and which I do hereby direct shall be in the day time

and as touching the Worldly Estate wherewith God hath Endowed me I give devise and dispose thereof as followeth First I give and devise unto my nephew JASPER WARD of CUCKFIELD in the said County Gentleman Eldest son of my late Brother RICHARD WARD deceased all that my Pond commonly called BIRCHENBRIDGE MILL POND and the Water Corn Mill called the NEW MILL or BIRCHENBRIDGE MILL together with the Messuage or Tenement erected near the said Pond head and the Garden Orchard Close of Land and Premises with the Appurtenances thereunto belonging situate lying and being in the Parish of NUTHURST in the said County now in the Tenure or Occupation of JOHN TOBUTT or his Assigns to hold the same unto the said JASPER WARD his Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my Nephew RICHARD WARD another son of my said Brother RICHARD WARD all that my Messuage or Tenement Barn Garden Orchard Farm and Lands with the Appurtenances situate and being in the Parish of COWFOLD in the said County commonly called or known by the Name of PATCHES now in the Occupation of THOMAS HUGHES or his Assigns To hold the same unto the said RICHARD WARD and his Heirs and Assigns for ever subject to and charged and chargeable with the Payment of the Sum of Fifty Pounds apiece unto CATHERINE and JAMES Children of my Nephew JAMES WARD who is also another Son of my said Brother RICHARD WARD which said Sums of Fifty pounds apiece I do give and bequeath to them accordingly Also I give and devise unto my Nephew said RICHARD WARD all that my Capital Messuage or Tenement Barn Buildings Farm Lands and Premises with he Appurtenances situate lying and being in WEST GRINSTED aforesaid commonly called or known by the name of IVERIA OTHERWISE IVERIES GATE now in the Tenure or Occupation of the said RICHARD WARD or his Assigns to hold the same unto my said Nephew RICHARD WARD and his Assigns for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and immediately after his decease I give and devise the same and every part and parcel thereof with the Appurtenances unto the Heirs of the Body of the said RICHARD WARD lawfully begotten or to be begotten and for want of such Issue to JAMES WARD Brother of the said RICHARD WARD and the Heirs Male of his Body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and in default of such Issue I give and devise the same to GEORGE WARD Son of my said Nephew JASPER WARD and his Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my said Nephew RICHARD all the Estate Right Title Interest Property Claim and Demand whatsoever which I am seized of interested in or intitled unto of and in all those my several Messuages or Tenements Barns Buildings Farms Lands Tenements and Heraditaments commonly called or known by the several Names of CHAMPIONS PICKNELL RUSTAL CAPONS and DUSTINS situate lying and being in the several partishes of WEST GRINSTED and COWFOLD aforesaid and now in the several Tenures or Occupations of me the said JAMES WARD the said RICHARD WARD HENRY ELLIS JOHN WOOLVEN and RICHARD PEIRCE and also all that my Messuage or Tenement and Blacksmiths Shops with the Garden Backside and Premises thereunto belonging situate in NUTHURST aforesaid in the Occupation of WILLIAM LEOPARD or his Assigns to have and to hold all and singular the said several Messuages or Tenements Barns Buildings Blacksmiths Shops Lands Tenements Heraditaments and Premises with their and every of their Appurtenances unto the said RICHARD WARD and his Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my said Nephew RICHARD WARD all those my Customary or Copyhold Fields or Closes of Land called the COURT FIELDS situate lying and being in the several Parishes of WEST GRNSTED and COWFOLD and holden of the Manor of HIGHURST in the said County and which I have surrendered to the Use of my Will to hold the same and every part and parcel thereof with the Appurtenances unto the said RICHARD WARD his Heirs and Assigns for ever according to the Custom of the said Manor Subject nevertheless and I do hereby charge the same with the Payment of the Yearly sum of Ten Pounds unto SARAH TOOTH sister of my late Wife ANN WARD for and during the Term of her natural Life to be paid unto her by two equal half Yearly Payments that is to say at the Feast days of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Michael the Archangel and in case the same shall be behind and unpaid by the space of thirty days next after any or either of the said Feast days whereon the same ought to be paid as aforesaid it being Lawfully demanded then I do give unto the said SARAH TOOTH and her Agents and Servants free liberty and power to enter into and upon all or any part of the said Fields Crofts or Closes of Land called the COURT FIELDS and to distrain for the said Annuity or Yearly Rent Charge and all Acrearages thereof and the distress and distresses lead and taken from time to time to take lead drive carry away and dispose of to pay off and satisfy the said Annuity or Yearly Rent Charge and all Acrearages thereof rendering the Overplus if any there be unto the said RICHARD WARD his Heirs and Assigns Also I give and devise unto my Nephew the said JAMES WARD all that my Messuage or Tenement Barns Buildings Farm and Lands situate lying and being in the Parish of CHIDDINGSTONE in the County of KENT commonly called or known by the Name of DEANS CROFT OTHERWISE NEWBERRIES now in the Tenure or Occupation of [blank] COLEMAN his Undertenants or Assigns And also all that my Messuage or Tenement Barns Buildings Farm and Lands situate lying and being in the Parish of EATONBRIDGE in the said County of KENT commonly called or known by the Name of RUSHOUT or BLACKMANS now in the Tenure or Occupation of WILLIAM ASHDOWN his Assigns or Undertenants to hold the said several Messuages or Tenements Barns Buildings Farm Lands Tenements Heraditaments and premises with their and every f their Appurtenances unto the said JAMES WARD and his Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and devise unto my said Nephews RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD all that my new erected Messuage or Tenement Garden and Premises situate in NUTHURST aforesaid by me lately purchased of DANIEL KNIGHT of NUTHURST aforesaid yeoman now in the Occupation of JOSHUA DINNAGE or his Assigns to hold the same unto the said RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD and their heirs and Assigns for ever as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and I do direct my said Nephews RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD and their Heirs and Assigns at any time within five Years next after my decease upon the request of the said JOSHUA DINNAGE in that behalf to be made and on the payment of the Sum of one hundred and Fifty Pounds of good and lawful Money of Great Britain by him the said JOSHUA DINNAGE to them the said RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD at the only proper Costs and charges in the Law of the said JOSHUA DINNAGE By such good and sufficient Conveyance and Assurance in the Law as Council shall advise to convey and assure unto the said JOSHUA DINNAGE and his Heirs all that the said Messuage or Tenement Garden and Premises now in the Occupation of him the said JOSHUA DINNAGE and his Heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my said Nephew RICHARD WARD the Clock in the Parlour of my Dwelling House at CHAMPIONS the two Family pieces the large Looking Glass the best Bed in the Parlour Chamber the large Clock upon the House and my Silver Tobacco Box as his own proper Goods and Chattels for ever Also I give and bequeath the use and usage of my Gold striking Watch unto my Nephew RICHARD WARD for and during the Term of his natural Life and from and immediately after his decease I give and bequeath the same unto his Brother the said JAMES WARD as and for his own proper Goods and Chattels for ever Also I give and bequeath the use and usage of my late Wifes Golf Chain and Locket unto MARY the wife of the said RICHARD WARD for and during the Term of her natural Life and from and immediately after her decease I give and bequeath the same unto ANN WARD daughter of my said Nephew JASPER WARD as and for her own proper Goods and Chattels for ever Also I give and bequeath unto my said Nephews JASPER WARD RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD all my Linnen of what sort or kind soever except what I hereafter give to the said SARAH TOOTH and also all my Plate not herein before by me disposed of to be equally divided between them share and share alike Also I give and bequeath unto the said SARAH TOOTH the Feather Bed Bolster Pillows Bedstead and Furniture thereto belonging whereon she usually lays with two good pair of sheets and two pillow biers as and for her own Goods and Chattels for ever Also I give and forgive unto my said Nephew JAMES WARD the sum of three hundred Pounds by him borrowed of me together with all Interest that shall be due for the same at the time of my decease Also I give and bequeath unto the said JAMES WARD the sum of three hundred Pounds more

To my Godson the said GEORGE WARD the sum of four hundred Pounds To SARAH ELIZABETH Wife of [blank] WEAVER and daughter of the said JASPER WARD the sum of one hundred Pounds separate and apart from her said Husband who it is my Will and Meaning shall have nothing to do with the same or intermeddle therewith To all the Rest of the Children of the said JASPER WARD that shall be living at the time of my decease the sum of one hundred Pounds apiece To WILLIAM BROOKS of WEST GRINSTED aforesaid Cordwainer the Sum of one hundred Pounds To JOHN AYNSCOMB of TANDRIDGE in the County of SURREY Yeoman the sum of Five Pounds To the Children of DAVID AYNSCOMB late of CHIDDINGSTONE aforesaid Bricklayer deceased the sum of sixty Pounds to be equally divided between them share and share alike To JOHN ANSCOMB of DORKING in the County of SURREY Labourer if he be living at the time of my decease the sum of Five Pounds To ANN LANGHAM Daughter of the said MRS WEAVER the sum of Five Pounds to ANN Wife of WILLIAM MARSHALL Daughter of RICHARD STEDMAN of CUCKFIELD aforesaid yeoman the sum of Five Pounds separate and apart from her said Husband it being my Will and desire that he shall have nothing to do with the same To my Godson THOMAS MARSHALL Son of WILLIAM MARSHALL of BURSTOW in the County of SURREY the Sum of Ten Pounds To my other Godsons WARD SHEPPARD Son of JOHN SHEPPARD of WISTON on the said County of Sussex and THOMAS POWLER son of EDWARD POWLER of COWFOLD aforesaid the sum of Five Pounds apiece To JOHN DENDY Son of RICHARD DENDY late of HORSHAM in the said County of Sussex Salesman deceased the Sum of Five Pounds To my two Servants RICHARD MARTIN and JOHN PARSONS the Sum of Five Pounds apiece if the said RICHARD MARTIN shall be living and the said JOHN PARSONS shall live with me at the time of my decease and to the Poor of the Parish of WEST GRINSTED aforesaid not receiving Alms the Sum of Five Pounds to be distributed amongst them by and according to the directions of my Executors herein after named all which said several legacies and Sums of Money I will and direct shall be of good and lawfull Money of Great Britain and shall severally and respectively be paid unto my said Legatees by my Executors herein after named at such times and in manner following that is to say to such of them as shall be of the Age of Eighteen Years at the time of my decease at the end of twelve Months next after my decease and to such of them as shall be under the Age of Eighteen Yeas at the time of my decease within twelve Months next after they shall severally attain their said several and respective Ages of Eighteen Years But if it shall happen that any or either of my said Legatees shall happen to die before his her or their Legacy or Legacies shall become payable then & I do direct that the Legacy or Legacies of him or them so dying shall sink into my Estate and be for the Benefit of my said Executors and their Executors Administrators and Assigns except the Legacies of the said SARAH ELIZABETH and JOHN DENDY which I do hereby direct shall be severally paid unto them or their Executors or Administrators within twelve Months next after my decease as aforesaid also I give and bequeath unto my said Nephew JASPER WARD the Sum of one hundred Pounds by me subscribed and paid towards making the COWFOLD and HENFIELD Turnpike road in the said County of Sussex Also I give and bequeath unto my said Nephews JASPER WARD and RICHARD WARD all my Wearing Apparel to be equally divided between them Also I give and forgive all and every my Tenants one quarter of a Years Rent of their several and respective Farms Lands Tenements and Premises they shall severally and respectively use and occupy of me at the time of my decease

All the rest and Residue of my Estate both Real and personal whatsoever and wheresoever after paying my Just Debts and Funeral Expenses I give devise and bequeath unto my Nephews RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD their Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants and I do nominate constitute and appoint the said RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament In Testimony whereof I the said JAMES WARD have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four Sheets of Paper set my Hand and Seal to each sheet the tenth day of JUNE in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five JAMES WARD Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said JAMES WARD the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have likewise subscribed Our Names as Witnesses in the presence of the said Testator and of each other at his request EDWD TILCHENEAR NATHL STEER JOHN TIGNER

This Will was proved at LONDON the tenth day of MARCH in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven before the Worshipful THOMAS BEVER Doctor of Law and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Sir GEORGE HAY Knight also Doctor of Law Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of RICHARD WARD and JAMES WARD the Nephews of the deceased and Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

Transcribed by:

Norma Podesta.

Notes about this will:

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Ref: - PROB11/1029

Source:

Unknown.

This will also mentions these parishes:

Cuckfield, Nuthurst, Cowfold, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge, Henfield, Horsham, Wiston, Burstow, Dorking.

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